Former players demand Yousuf, Alam sackings

Pakistan's shocking defeat in the Sydney Test against Australia has the entire nation seething in anger with former players demanding the sacking of captain Mohammad Yousuf, coach Intikhab Alam and even cricket board chief Ejaz Butt.

The aftermath of the 36-run defeat could be sensed from the fact that it also prompted a statement from the Presidential spokesman who appealed for calm and patience from everyone.

The appeal, however, did little to placate the angry former players like Inzamam-ul Haq, Aamer Sohail, Moin Khan and Rashid Latif and administrators, who demanded that heads, should roll.

Former Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Nasim Ashraf felt it was embarrassing to lose a match after dominating the first three days and said Yousuf should be stripped of the captaincy.

"What happened in the Test was so embarrassing. It made a complete mockery of Pakistan cricket and the entire team management. The captain should be fired for it," Ashraf demanded.

Also training his guns on the coach, Ashraf said, "If Yousuf was not right in his cricketing decisions there was also the team management led by coach, Intikhab Alam which could have guided him into changing his strategy."

Ex-captain Moin Khan held a similar view and felt both Yousuf anb Alam were to be blamed for the debacle.

"I don't know what happened but I think even if Yousuf was not thinking right and his strategy was wrong after the first half an hour, the support staff including coach Intikhab Alam should have sent out a message to him to change his strategy," Moin said.

Former pacer Sarfraz Nawaz also lashed out at the senior members of the side and demanded the axing of the entire team management.

"I think the selectors now need to give more opportunities to younger players so that we can move ahead. This management needs to be sacked as they are unable to provide proper support to the players," he said.

Former leg-spinner Abdul Qadir, who headed the selection committee until last year, suggested PCB chairman Ejaz Butt and the selectors should also quit, owning up moral responsibility.

"Had I been the board's Chairman or chief selector, I would have resigned from my post after such a pathetic performance by the national team," Qadir said.

It was a strange performance by the Pakistani team which bowled out Australia for just 127 runs and took a 206-run first innings lead, but ended up losing the Test.

Yousuf employed defensive tactics, which allowed Australia to post 381 in their second essay and chasing 176 for a victory, Pakistan imploded for 139 to slump to a morale-shattering defeat.

Former captain Aamer Sohail was baffled by Yousuf's captaincy.

"It is beyond comprehensions what he was trying to do by sending around seven to eight fielders to the boundary ropes early on in the day at a time when he should have attacked both batsmen with the second new ball," Sohail said.

Even former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq, a close Yousuf friend who allegedly orchestrated behind-the-scenes movements to oust Younus Khan and elevate Yousuf, found it difficult to support the team.

"I think this Pakistan team lacks confidence. We dominated the match for three days and then let it go all in one day which is unacceptable," he said.

"In the series they are always in a hurry to play their shots which does not work all the time in Test matches," he added.

He also felt that seniority should no more be a criterion for selection.

"I believe that deserving players should be given the chance and the management and players must all stand up and play their roles in the team," said the former skipper.

Presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar, meanwhile, told the media in Islamabad that losing was part of the game and people should maintain their calm.

"Winning and losing are parts of the game. The loss, no doubt, was disheartening and calls for greater effort on the players part in the future to win crucial fixtures," Babar said.

The President is also the chief patron of the board and directly appoints the PCB Chairman.

The PCB initially downplayed the defeat but their statement today made it clear that the Board was not taking it lightly.

"The Pakistan Cricket Board shows its utmost concern over the poor performance of the Pakistan cricket team in the second Test played in Sydney. An overall review of the performance of the team shall be carried out by the board after the completion of the Australian tour," it said.

While Yousuf drew most of the flak, the demand to replace butter-fingered stumper Kamran Akmal also grew in strength.

Former captain Rashid Latif, himself a top class keeper, slammed Akmal for dropping catches and said he didn't deserve to be in the Test team.

"The wicketkeeper is the backbone of any team and his performances are crucial. I think it is time to give other deserving players a chance in the Test team," he said.